Interim evaluation

QualifizierungsvereinbarungOne of the main objectives of the VRG programme is to enable recipients to pursue a career path that leads to a full professorship. In Austria, this typically occurs via a career position, in accordance with UG2002 (for organizations that fall under the UG2022). Obtaining a full professorship is, however, not part of the VRG program rationale, since it requires either an open external appointment procedure or an internal call for applications for a certain number of dedicated positions.

However, VRG leaders are expected to advance to Associate Professorship within the duration of the Vienna Research Group. Upon starting work at the host institution, VRG leaders are offered a qualification agreement („Qualifizierungsvereinbarung“, „QV“). Depending on the institution, this either happens immediately upon entry to the university, or after a few months (WWTF asks for a maximum of 3 months upon start of the work contract, until the QV is offered and signed). Once a QV has been signed, the VRG leader is listed as an „assistant professors“. These positions are temporary. 

In the QV, the criteria for promotion to associate professorship are defined. After a certain period of time (depending on the institution and the individual agreement between host institution and VRG leader), usually 2-4 years, an interim evaluation of the VRG leader's performance is carried out at the host institution.

There are different scenarios for the interim evaluation:

 

Formale Überprüfung

WWTF organisiert Evaluierung

• In the first up to five years, the group is mainly financed by the WWTF (in general about 70-80% of the funding). Before the end of the first phase, an evaluation (“interim evaluation”) takes place. This evaluation will consider the publication record as well as the research profile of the group leader, as well as further criteria defined by the host institution. The interim evaluation should be co-organized by WWTF and the host institution. Involvement of an international reviewer, nominated by WWTF, is mandatory. The evaluation step usually takes place in the fourth year and at the latest at the beginning of the fifth year. Earlier dates are possible.
• In case of a positive evaluation, the second phase will run for one to three years. This phase is characterized by a tenured position of the VRG leader and is mainly financed by the host institution. This means funding from WWTF should be supplemented by a significant increase in financial contributions from the host institution and/or other third party funding, in the second phase of the grant (after the interim evaluation, usually years 5-8, depending on the duration of the grant). In case of a negative result in the interim evaluation, the funding of the group will be discontinued after a “phasing out” period (max. 1 year).